Just stumbled across this and thought I'd check, especially as I've just added a prospeed ladder to the left hand side of the tailgate which has increased the weight - right hand side was ok, popped the strut off, tightened a fraction, so greased the ball and socket and re-assembled.

Left hand side, finger loose unclipped the strut, thread locked it, re-tightened and greased it up - seems ok but will check it again in a couple of weeks. Feels like I need stronger struts now I have the ladder on, has anyone ever upgraded them?

I am still on my original rear hatch struts and they still seem OK after nine years.

This spring I had to replace my bonnet struts as they quit over the winter. Rather than genuine, I installed Stabilus brand as they were a few dollars less and still apparently good quality.

If the word upgrade means stronger, I think that may not be the best idea. I think struts are designed for various loads. Too strong means lots of effort when closing and perhaps popping open too quickly.

Units designed for the rear hatch and EU or NA manufactured will most likely be OK; far East manufactured are probably still a bit experimental - their time has yet to come.

I just do not understand why so many little nuisance things seem to fault on the 3. I can understand that given mine is a first production, (2005), but I am not certain that the 4's donot yet suffer still from the little stuff.

And that is the problem - it is little stuff; the drive train is pretty good; it is the little thinks that seems to cause all the fuss and rarely happen on nomal vehicles.